Marine Environment Protection Committee MEPC 82 Update

25th November 2024

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) convened for its 82nd session at the IMO Headquarters in London, concluding a pivotal year for environmental challenges in the marine and shipping sectors. MEPC 82 covered a broad range of topics, including proposed mid-term strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, enhancing shipping energy efficiency, managing marine litter, addressing ballast water management, and mitigating underwater noise.

Designation of Emission Control Areas (ECAs)

A significant focus of the session was the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, establishing new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx), and Particulate Matter (PM) in the Canadian Arctic Waters and the Norwegian Sea. These new ECAs will become effective on 1 March 2026, mandating stricter emission controls to safeguard human health and the environment by reducing air pollution from ships.

Air Pollution and Black Carbon Emissions

The committee reviewed a report from the Secretariat on the implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit, which came into effect on 1 January 2020, reducing the allowable sulphur content in ships' fuel oil from 3.5% to 0.50%. Notably, in 2023, only two non-compliance reports (FONARs) were filed with the IMO's GISIS platform, out of a total of 67 since the regulation's introduction.

Two key resolutions were adopted:

• Guidance on goal-based control measures for minimising Black Carbon's impact on the Arctic from international shipping.
• Guidelines for Black Carbon emission measurement, monitoring, and reporting, facilitating data collection for future regulations.

Black Carbon, a specific carbonaceous compound produced during combustion of carbon-based fuels, poses significant environmental and health risks, especially in Arctic regions. These new guidelines aim to help ship operators reduce emissions and support data collection for policy development.

NOx Technical Code Amendments

The committee approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code 2008, incorporating multiple operational profiles for marine diesel engines and clarifying engine test cycles. These amendments will be circulated for adoption at MEPC 83, with an expected enforcement date coinciding with the revised MARPOL Annex VI in autumn 2025. Additional amendments concerning the certification of engines subject to significant modifications or new tier certifications will also be reviewed for adoption at MEPC 83.

Comprehensive GHG and Environmental Initiatives

The committee’s efforts formed part of a larger strategy encompassing multiple environmental initiatives, including:

• Reducing GHG emissions from ships
• Improving ship energy efficiency
• Establishing new ECAs and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
• Implementing advanced ballast water management practices
• Combating marine litter
• Preventing air pollution
• Addressing underwater radiated noise from commercial vessels
• Enhancing pollution response measures and ship recycling standards

These comprehensive measures reinforce the IMO's commitment to tackling climate change and promoting sustainability across the global shipping industry. Protea have a full range of technologies for the monitoring and tracking of shipping emissions using marine emissions analysers such as the Protea 2000 In-Situ Infra-red gas analyser which is connected to a Protea Control Unit forms the basis of a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS). Find out more at https://www.protea.ltd.uk/marine-emissions-analysers.

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